Love this man!

This last weekend Mike took me out on a date to our new favorite restaurant Ruth's Chris! 

We were just sitting there deciding what to order based on what the other person likes so that we could share when I realized I love marriage.

I know he likes meat, so I have learned to love trying every restaurant in town's crab cakes as our appetizers. 

And he knows that I like dessert better than food, so he orders me Key Lime pie and Crème Brûlée!

We just go together. We just understand each other. 

We no longer have to pretend to be something we are not, and we just get to grow into something better together!

I love that we can just talk all night, and it doesn't have to be forced. I love that he knows when to take my hand, and what to say when I need comfort.

I love how hard he works, and how much he loves his job! I love getting to watch him succeed at all he does! He got TSgt last year, and last month was given a new position as mission director! 

The best part is how hott my husband looks when he comes home in uniform!!!

 Better than him in uniform is seeing him with our kids! I couldn't imagine a better dad! It doesn't matter what he has going on that day he is the 1st to read, play, and cuddle our kids! He lives for them, and I love everything about his love for them! 

 Mike has taught our kids at a young age a joy for physical activity, and they all love working out with him... I don't get it, but it is fun to watch them all do sit ups and push ups together at night!

 Growing up I use to picture the dad my kids would have, but I couldn't have imagined God had such a good one in store for me! 

 Even with how hard he works he also gets up early to do homework for he next degree, takes care of our house and yard after work, makes sure I get time to relax, builds all the crazy pintrest ideas I find, and always makes me breakfast in bed on the weekends so I can sleep in! 

As we come in on our 6th wedding anniversary next month I just can't help but thank God for this wonderful man he put in my life to lead me, care for me, and to be my forever!

I love you Michael, and am so proud of all you do!

Our New Journey: Surrogacy Part 5- 3rd Trimester update

Surrogacy is going beautifully and faster than I could have imagined...

 I may be a little sad when it is all over :( 

Pregnancy itself is well... pregnancy lol 

Other than the general discomforts from putting on 20lbs over 32 weeks, and easily fixed heartburn things are going super smoothly! It is definitely different to be pregnant when you have a 1 year old to chase, but otherwise things are pretty similar to my pregnancy with James.

I have been taking pictures in the same dress, so my IP's can see how baby girl and I are growing. I started posting some of the pictures on my last Surro update: Our New Journey: Surrogacy Part 4

23 Weeks

26 Weeks 

I Lost my toes at 27 Weeks :(

29 weeks

My intended mother came and protected me from Mike's shenanigans on April Fools ;)

It was so fun to spend the day with her just talking about our kids! The very best part was getting to see her sweet little girl! I truly can not wait for my IPs to get to meet their baby!

32 weeks 

Now we are planning for delivery! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! 

 Seeing baby is due during the summer my intended parents are going to give me and the kids a vacation to stay near them for a few weeks. This will make it more relaxing for me and my IP's to not have to worry about them missing the delivery, and make for a fun end to this pregnancy for my family :)

This upcoming trip is also giving me something exciting to take my nesting out on...my husband is appreciating any distraction from me continuing to nest on our house lol 

Please continue to pray for my family and my IPs family as we all prepare for June :)

Another perfect Jacquary!

We kicked off the 1st weekend of the month with family time, 

and then a daddy daughter/ mommy son night! 

It was equally great to see how close Jenna is with her daddy 

as it was to get to talk to and spoil Kade. 

On Sunday we went to church, then swimming, then 

had a fun football filled evening with Mike's family! 

We watched the big game while the kids played on the floor and loved on each other!

If I could relive that day every Sunday it would never get old!

On my birthday Michael made me breakfast in bed.

 It's funny because he makes me breakfast in bed at least twice a week, but it is still one of my favorite romantic gestures... it is probably my love for breakfast food mixed with my un-love for mornings ;)

Then we took James to spend the day with his cousins, so we could go kid free shopping for all new bedding, pillows, and room decor! And have lunch at Tucanos!

 I am in love with how cozy it is to just be in my room, and enjoy having a new kid free getaway for my man and I! 

That afternoon we got the kids from school, and all had my favorite cupcakes (raspberry lemon) while watching a movie to relax! The prefect afternoon when you are pregnant!

Then I had a girls night with my mom and sisters!! 

Mike took the next 2 days off to just spend time with me!

He did a good job spoiling me with lots of little things 

like hidden notes, and weekly flowers all month!

Friday Night the kids had a play date, and Mike and I went out to celebrate valentines at my new favorite restaurant Emilio's! It was so romantic with our hidden table, and the food...oh the food!

For presidents day weekend we planned lots of fun for the kids with swimming, sleepovers, and love

Valentines morning the kids got some this is why we love you presents <3 nbsp="" p="">

Mike surprised Jenna and I with candy and flowers,
 and the kids made valentines for the people they love!

That afternoon we made cookies for all our neighbors and took a walk to deliver them!

Then the kids got an early bedtime with movies, so dad and mom could exchange valentines ;)

 Presidents Day we took the kids to Hyde park for one of our favorite traditions of hiking, playing at the park, and walking to get ice cream! 

That week James got to go to lunch with Auntie Sara and I, so my surro husband could have some spoil me time lol... turns out James will sit still for hours as long as there is fries :)

 Mike got his acceptance letter for the college is wanting to get his next degree!

Thank you Jesus for Tuition Assistance making it possible for my husband to be getting degree #3 for free, and for me getting to marry such a smart man ;)

The weekend of the 19th Mike and I spent alone celebrating 7 years together!

It truly was the most amazing weekend we have had in awhile, 

and I feel so lucky to be this in love with him! 

 We finished off the month with Jenna's last basketball game then a family day with lunch, shopping, and family movie night. 

Mike got me one last Jacquary Bouquet and special snack to end my month!!

I am now looking forward to spring and Easter, but thankful beyond words I get to spend all the future seasons and holidays with such a giving man and our kids!

Thing 3 is 18 Months Old!

Time flies when you are being cute!

Height/Weight: James is weighing in at 28 lbs

Routine: We have a pretty flexible day to day routine seeing we have different activities most mornings. 

I am so thankful that I get to spend my

 days doing day to day life with this smile!

Sleeping: James had moved from a short morning and short afternoon nap to just one long afternoon nap usually from about 1-3. Bed time is still 8:30. If we put him in bed with us when he wakes up he'll sleep for another hour or so which is great on the weekends! He also loves cuddling in brother and sisters beds ;)

Eating/Feeding: At this point little man can eat about anything. He prefers fruits and veggies to meat, and loves yogurt and cheese. 

Sizes: He is wearing 24 month clothing and size 6 shoes. We feel so blessed that even 18 months in we have yet to buy him any clothing (other than a few seasonal things we wanted to)! Yay for great friends and family! 

However he prefers to be naked, and will strip down any chance he gets!

But if he is wearing clothing he now requires a cape lol 

Milestones: 
James is a little Talker! He can clearly say about 10 words and is working on about 20 others!
He knows most body parts when asked, and will make animal noises when he sees pictures of them or is asked (his favorite is anything that says Roar) 

James loves water! Bath time and swimming lessons are his favorite times of day!

He loves shoes, and will put on any he gets his hands on :)

And loves hide and seek (even though he isn't as good at hiding as he thinks)

And he is getting super brave!